Sox: Thunderstruck

Thursday

May 17, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 17, 2007 at 5:03 PM

Jeff Horrigan/Boston Herald

However, when the worsening weather started to remind folks of "The Perfect Storm," the Red Sox realized that there was no reason to try to search for a few brief windows to squeeze in a regulation game, prompting them to call off (at 6:55 p.m.) the third of four meetings with the Detroit Tigers and reschedule it for a day-night, separate admission doubleheader today.

Tickets for last night's game will be used for this afternoon's game, which is scheduled to begin at 12:35. Last night's scheduled starting pitchers - Julian Tavarez and Detroit left-hander Mike Maroth - will square off today. Curt Schilling and Tigers right-hander Chad Durbin will oppose each other tonight at 7:05.

The rainout could actually help the Sox, whose three-game winning streak ended with a 7-2 loss on Tuesday. Tavarez, who was originally scheduled to start the first game of a three-game series against the Yankees in New York on Monday, will now have to be pushed back, creating a spot in the rotation for the Yankee Stadium opener.

It's possible that Josh Beckett, who is being bumped from his scheduled start tomorrow night against Atlanta in order to allow a cut on his right middle finger to heal, could get the nod if the wound has closed up and isn't in danger of splitting open again.

Last night's rainout also improves the chances that right fielder J.D. Drew will not miss any action after suffering a lower back contusion Tuesday when he landed hard on the bullpen wall while leaping for Brandon Inge's home run.

Drew wasn't in last night's posted lineup, but Sox manager Terry Francona said his back felt much better than expected yesterday.

The rainout was the third of the season for the Sox, who were also postponed on April 12 (vs. Seattle) and April 15 (vs. Los Angeles Angels) at Fenway.

The April 12 game was made up on May 3, while the April 15 affair will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on Aug. 17.

The Red Sox (26-12) have the best winning percentage in the major leagues and have gone 10-4 in May. Their pitchers have recorded an impressive 2.85 ERA over the last 11 games. Sox starters lead the majors with 21 victories, while the relief crew has a 2.32 ERA over the last 12 games.

Sox batters have also been on a roll. They've hit .321 with 57 runs scored over the last eight games to lift their overall team batting average from .268 to .280, which is tops in the American League.

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